Biking/Cycling Information (01)
Choosing a Comfortable Bicycle Seat
Selecting a comfortable bicycle seat is not a difficult process, but it
does require a little time and patience, and some planning. With the
hints at this website, you can find the bicycle seat that is right for
you. This article suggests determining if the seat is too wide or narrow,
asking other cyclists for tips, and finding a few local shops to check
out. One should also test out models in the store, if possible, and be
sure to shop around for a quality bicycle seat that you are comfortable
with.
Preventing Hamstring Fatigue While Biking
It's inevitable that body parts will get tired with the rigorous movements cycling brings. This article is a great offering of information about how to prevent hamstring fatigue during cycling. The author recommends downstroking, since most of a cyclists power is released during the downstroke. Backstroking is also effective, as each pedal stroke reaches a crisis moment when one pedal is at 12 o'clock and the other is at 6 o'clock. Since neither leg is engaged in a downstroke, creating a little bit of power in this "dead spot" carries momentum through to the next downstroke. The backstroke lets the hamstring muscles relax a little. Upstrokes are also vital. The movements of the upstroke are hip-flexion (lifting the knee) and knee-flexion (lifting the foot). Since the hip-flexors are active only in this range of the pedal stroke, they should be the primary muscle contracting. Efficient riders relax the hamstrings during the upstroke phase.
Improving Bicycling Speed
Improving pedaling form is the easiest way to improve cycling speed, according to the author of this article. Many cyclists pedal much harder with one leg than the other, or apply pressure unevenly throughout the stroke. These problems can be solved with a few simple pedaling drills. This will give you a faster speed without any extra effort. The next step to a faster time is to train very specifically for the event you plan to enter. An athlete planning on racing in a short style road race should train much differently than an athlete planning on doing the 180km of an Ironman. In general, the shorter the race, the higher the intensity. Training intensity should match race intensity, so the type of course you will race on needs to be considered.
Choosing a Triathlon Bike
A first-hand account of one man who sought out to buy a triathlon bike. In this article, he goes through various features and bikes that he looked at. He did narrow down his choice to three bikes. The Giant OCR 1, the Specialized Allez, and the Cannondale 700 multisport. The Giant and the Specialized were very similar, they both had Shimano 105, 27 speed components Mavic CXP 22 wheels, and Aluminum frames. The Cannondale was equipped with 105 18 speed with an aerodynamic composite frame and also came equipped with Profile Aerolite aerobars, Mavic CXP 21 wheels, and an aero fork, he says. He also gives tips for choosing a triathlon bike that best suits other triathletes.
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